How Buying a Luxury Car Can Make You More Successful
If you’re driving a beater to cut costs—or a Hyundai—I don’t blame you for not making more money.
That used to be my life. I drove an old Mazda 3 hatchback and I was stagnant and sad.
The Daily Dream Loop
My story starts with counting every dollar saved, clinging to the advice I’d heard from my parents, teachers, and society. I’d wait for "regular" gas prices to drop and spend my downtime scrolling through CarGurus and AutoTrader, daydreaming about BMWs, Mercedes, and Range Rovers.
I’d watch POV driving videos late at night on YouTube, imagining what it would feel like to drive one.
I constantly dreamed about getting rid of my underpowered 4-cylinder, 150 HP Mazda that could barely hit highway speed on full throttle. I’d scroll through car community Instagram reels, feeling jealous of other’s rides—not the best energy to feed yourself if you’re aiming for success.
I imagined the feeling of a turbo V6 or V8 with 300+ HP tearing down backroads, hitting corners while passing NPC drivers like I was in a Need for Speed game.
Fear-Based Advice
But then came the voices of—my parents and society:
“Don’t buy a luxury car.”
“It’ll cost you a fortune.”
“The maintenance will leave you broke.”
“You’ll be living paycheck to paycheck.”
“Save your money for a house.”
“It’ll cost you a fortune.”
“The maintenance will leave you broke.”
“You’ll be living paycheck to paycheck.”
“Save your money for a house.”
"Save your money for retirement."
But I was already broke driving that beater.
But I was already broke driving that beater.
The Realization
That’s when I started realizing most of this advice was rooted in saving and cost cutting—not in increasing income. And to increase my income, I had to be focused. I had to be confident.
I had to feel like success was possible.
I skipped Dave Ramsey—had enough of his boomer “save your Starbucks money and buy a 2003 Corolla” advice.
Self-Image Is Everything
That’s when I stumbled upon the concept of self-image and manifestation.
The idea is simple: if you want to be successful, you need to feel successful. You need to visualize the most successful version of yourself—then ask, what does that version of me do? How do they think, work, walk, dress, act? What decisions do they make?
Step into that identity.
Start living as if you’re already that person.
And it all made sense. Any time in my life I was better than others—whether in sports, school, or work—I believed I was the best. That confidence and self-belief pushed me ahead.
That’s the abundance mindset.
Poor people save because they identify with scarcity. They’re afraid to lose what little they have. And live in anxiety and fear.
Rich people spend because they believe in their ability to earn more. They know they’ll generate more wealth. It’s a reflection of their confidence and character.
The Decision
And here I was—distracted, burnt out, scrolling car content all day instead of working to afford the life I wanted.
So I said, screw it.
What if buying that BMW 440i was the key to regaining my focus and stepping into that rich "you" identity?
Going Against Everyone
I went against all the advice—from my parents, my girlfriend (who loved the Mazda), and my friends—and financed the BMW I wanted.
And the moment I bought it, I felt peace. Relief.
Like I had finally taken a step towards who I truly am.
The Shift
That first drive was surreal. I had to pinch myself. I looked forward to every ride—carving corners on backroads, showing it off to friends. Even strangers treated me with a bit more respect.
Sometimes, you have to go against conventional wisdom to do something meaningful.
It’s always the rebels who win.
The normies stay average.
From Scarcity to Abundance
The higher cost pushed me out of the scarcity mindset and into abundance.
I felt successful, and that feeling gave me the drive to increase my income to keep the BMW.
Then my life started to change. A few months later, I got a promotion at work.
My side hustle started gaining real traction.
No Regrets
Looking back, it was the best decision I ever made.
My Unconventional Advice to You
Get out of the scarcity mindset.
Stop saving pennies and start thinking bigger.
Get the car you want.
Do it for yourself—not for anyone else.
When you feel successful, you’ll start acting like it.
And everything changes from there.
Oh—and next, get a proper car scent so you smell successful too.
But that’s a story for another time.
About Us - Smul
At Smul, we’ve reimagined car fragrance for those who aspire for more. Our sleek, luxury vent clip combines the refinement of a diffuser with the simplicity of a traditional air freshener—crafted for drivers who value success, style, and detail. Made with premium essential oils, we deliver a natural, long-lasting scent without the need for charging, water, or messy drops. Designed to complement the interiors of high-end vehicles, it fits most vents and features easy-to-swap refills—making it the effortless fragrance solution for those who drive with purpose. Click below to experience Smul.
